Roy Keane hands out shock praise to Fred for ‘lovely finish’ after previously slamming his ‘footballing intelligence’
ROY KEANE praised Manchester United midfielder Fred for a “lovely little finish” in the FA Cup win over Reading.
Fred came off the bench for the injured Christian Eriksen, who was seen hobbling out of Old Trafford on crutches after the game.
The Brazilian ace scored United’s third in the 3-1 win after a stunning double from Casemiro, the second of which was assisted by Fred.
And United icon Keane, 51, singled out Fred for praise after the match.
Although the ITV pundit, who has been critical of the midfielder in the past, suggested Fred’s role for the Red Devils should be limited to “coming off the bench”.
He said: “That’s probably what I think is his role – coming off the bench, particularly in games like this when the game is done.
“Reading fall asleep at a corner, United have looked a bit better on set pieces recently.
“He just walks in there, he’s obviously got a trick, lovely little finish. Poor from Reading, but lovely little finish.”
Keane has previously labelled Fred “not good enough” to play for the Red Devils, and slammed his “football intelligence”.
He ripped into Fred and Scott McTominay following the 2-1 defeat at Brighton at the start of this season.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Keane fumed: “The [lack of] decision-making and football intelligence from midfield, particularly Fred.
“I’ve been going on about it for a long time – Fred and [Scott] McTominay are not good enough.
“They won’t get Manchester United back competing at the top. We see it week in, week out. They’re not up to it.”
Last year Fred responded to his critics, saying he didn’t agree with the “negative comments” about him from pundits.
But the midfielder has been impressive off the bench in recent weeks for the Red Devils, and appears to have won over Keane with his latest performance.